Query re attendance allowance

It is indeed depressing to have to focus on what one can’t do rather than can and the good advice I was given was 1) do it for DH because he would always put the most n positive slant on anything, but 2) also to bear in mind the worst days, when walking the length of his shadow was well nigh impossible. Being him, he found that hard to admit to and even harder to be reminded of.
M0nica speaks wise words and GSM you should know that AA is not means tested and can be spent on anything which eases your life. Being ill, frail or debilitated gets expensive when you have to take taxis to medical appointments (it used to cost us around £100 for each Royal Free visit and some times there might be several within a month) pay cleaners and gardeners for the most straightforward things, need extra laundry because of continence issues or ready made meals because you are not strong enough to stand or sit and cook.

I have been considering applying for AA but having applied on behalf of my Mum, I am put off by the incredibly detailed and repetitive questions on the form!

But this thread has got me thinking about how I have adapted my life to cope with arthritis. I use a walking stick to get around in the house or hold on to doors and furniture to ease the pain. I have stools in the kitchen and bathroom to sit on to cook, wash up, clean my teeth etc and also one in the shower. I have my food delivered and then take a couple of hours putting it away with plenty of rests in between. I rarely go to the shops as I cannot walk far.

I have a cleaner and someone to cut the lawn as I cannot to these things anymore and I use a handyman to do small jobs around the house that I used to be able to do. I used a mobility scooter for the first time last weekend to visit some NT gardens with my sister, I’ve not been able to walk around parks or gardens for years. I have a blue badge so can go out to meet friends as long as I check out the parking first on Google maps.

I sometimes do not manage to get to the toilet on time, it takes me a while to ease myself out of bed or out of a chair and I can wet myself while getting to the bathroom. To prevent too many accidents, I have to wear incontinence pads which are expensive and I still have extra washing with daily “leaks”

Now I have thought about it, I realise that I spend a lot of money to enable me to cope living alone and I can see that my needs are probably sufficient to get the lower amount of AA. But I have made adequate provision for my retirement ( I am 65) so can afford these aids but on the other hand I have worked all my life bar six years when my children were very young. I’ve paid tax and NI for over 40 years and not had to claim any benefits other than family allowance so maybe I should accept some help with my health needs.

I need to think about it.

Like others I have completed many claims to AA whilst working for DWP. There is an art to getting the correct information from the client. Many conditions are gradual and people have all kinds of strategies for “managing”. They have to if they live alone. One strategy is not to think too much about their difficulties, just to get on with it, but for the purpose of answering the questions they are forced to focus on it. This can be quite depressing for them. One client said “I didn’t realise how bad I am”. I used to have a chatty conversation while we shared a cup of tea. I would be able to observe how they move around, perhaps holding on to furniture or door frames, how they reached for tea things, and carried them in. I would be very surprised if a CAB professional would invent things. She will have elicited the answers from the client.

Thank you MOnica and Cabbie for such thoughtful posts, I will remember them.

Please be kind to each other! I am saddened at some of the comments. We are discussing a benefit for people who require assistance in daily living. As has been said everyone is different. Some people like germanshepherdsmum are proud to be independent and are not feeling they are at a stage where they need this allowance yet. Others may not agree but everyone has a choice. It doesn't mean one is right and the other wrong.
Please remember it is not a means tested benefit and anyone can apply for it even if they have a million pounds in the bank, so that should not put anyone off. The only criteria is if they require care as described in the form.

I dont think anyone is trying to make people feel bad, it's a difference of opinion and lifestyle, every one of us is different.
I have a couple of health conditions including osteoarthritis, I would not claim AA as I do not need personel care, yes it is painful, but only at certain times, especially when it is cold, I have to manage. I am aware that others cannot though.

Germanshepherdsmum

I don’t ‘wish bad and irretrievable life events on other people’, never have and never will. Is that what you wish for me? Why?

No, I work very hard at never doing so with anyone; I would rather try and understand why they are the way they are. However, it is very difficult being tolerent of the intolerant.

Germanshepherdsmum

I don’t ‘wish bad and irretrievable life events on other people’, never have and never will. Is that what you wish for me? Why?

She most likely doesn't...you probably just pissed PP off with your attitude .....like saying 'no such word as can't ' .... I mean what bollocks is that ?.... lots of people 'can't ' do things....they shouldn't be made to feel bad about it....which is how your posts have come across

I don’t ‘wish bad and irretrievable life events on other people’, never have and never will. Is that what you wish for me? Why?

Germanshepherdsmum

Thankfully my assets are such that I wouldn't qualify for benefits anyway. It horrifies me to think that the problems I have, which I have grown to live with and cope with (perfectly satisfactorily in my view) over many years - asthma from childhood, osteoarthritis since 21 - might entitle me to benefits. I have adapted and it would be totally wrong, in my view, for me to receive money from the taxpayer if I did not have assets above the benefits threshold. I have always, in every way, cut my (physical and financial) cloth according to my means. In short, I MAKE myself do things. I was brought up with the phrase 'no such word as can't' and it has served me well.

Mmm. Haven't you read the other posts GSM. Many people "MAKE" themselves "do" things. That doesn't mean it is a good thing or that their care or hospitalisation will "cost" less in the long run.

Sometimes I have to work very hard not to wish bad and irretrievable life events on other people.

Germanshepherdsmum

Thankfully my assets are such that I wouldn't qualify for benefits anyway. It horrifies me to think that the problems I have, which I have grown to live with and cope with (perfectly satisfactorily in my view) over many years - asthma from childhood, osteoarthritis since 21 - might entitle me to benefits. I have adapted and it would be totally wrong, in my view, for me to receive money from the taxpayer if I did not have assets above the benefits threshold. I have always, in every way, cut my (physical and financial) cloth according to my means. In short, I MAKE myself do things. I was brought up with the phrase 'no such word as can't' and it has served me well.

Well good for you if thats how you choose to live .....Ibut no one should feel like they have to be a martyr to their ailments ....I take what I'm entitled to even though I work....there is no threshold for AA ....same as PIP which I receive ( I'm too young for AA) ....these benefits are not means tested......seems ridiculous to be too proud to claim a benefit

I have osteo arthritis like GSM I have had to learn to adapt. Summer is fine for me, but Winter can be difficult, one day while walking back to the car after shopping, I had to ease myself into the seat and lift my legs in. I managed to drive home, and it took a couple of hours in the warm for the pain and stiffness to go.
I will not claim AA as I do not need personnel care. The OP circumstances will be different to mine, everyone's is different, I hope OP is successful in her claim as she clearly needs help but is honest enough to say not personal care.
Like GSM I will adapt.

I have never understand wy some people almost feel a pride in not applying for benefits they qualify for..

All through our lives we pay taxes to ensure that all of us can access the allowances and benefits we need when we need them.

It is like paying out for house insurance all your life and then when your house burns down not claiming on the insurance because you have enough money to rebuild the house without making a claim.

In fact I think, and in my experience, people find alls sorts of good reasons for not applying for Attendance Allowance, mainly because applying for it means coming to terms with the fact that the physical or mental problems they have are now so severe, that they are being given financial help because it means facing up tot the fact that they are disabled and need other peoples help in some way.

I fully understand why people feel like that, you think you are doing fine, a bit creaky, and unable to get out into the garden - but disabled? No, thats the old man across the road, ny neighbours mother, not me.

I have a friend going through this stage at the moment, I will help her with her AA form when she is ready.

The reason AA is not means tested nor prescriptive about what you do with it is for the very reasons that Cabbie21 outlines in her post. There was very little that could be done to help her problem, but the mental lift given to her, by someone else coming into the house, ostensibly to help, but also sitting down and chatting, was immeasurable.

When I went round visiting people at home to help complete AA forms, I was absolutely amazed and at times, amused by the things that people spent their AA money on, but in every case it made their life easier, or bearable in some way - and that is the point of it.

Attendance Allowance is not means-tested.

My mum was very much of your attitude, GSM, but she did not have your financial assets, though was not poor enough to be entitled to Pension Credit. She reached the point where she was actually not coping, though would not admit it.
When she did eventually get AA, she did not use the money to pay for care, or a cleaner, as by then she felt she could not cope with anyone in her house, disturbing her arrangements.

She had a home help once a fortnight, who helped her change the bed, then stayed for a cup of tea and a chat which was of more value to her than housework. The council provided a
“ bath nurse” for a while, but when that was withdrawn, Mum did not have a bath or shower, ever.
She coped, in her own way, but was still entitled to AA.
It helped pay her fees when she went into a care home for the last months of her life.

Thankfully my assets are such that I wouldn't qualify for benefits anyway. It horrifies me to think that the problems I have, which I have grown to live with and cope with (perfectly satisfactorily in my view) over many years - asthma from childhood, osteoarthritis since 21 - might entitle me to benefits. I have adapted and it would be totally wrong, in my view, for me to receive money from the taxpayer if I did not have assets above the benefits threshold. I have always, in every way, cut my (physical and financial) cloth according to my means. In short, I MAKE myself do things. I was brought up with the phrase 'no such word as can't' and it has served me well.

Germanshepherdsmum

I’m so very sorry. Glad your husband has received some financial assistance.
Best wishes, look after yourself.
?

Thank you, I am trying to use some of the money to get a gardener as impossible for me to cope with it. But its so hard this time of year.

Beautful

Personally I would contact the correct department & tell them ... someone may need it more than you ... how many more people get the allowance when not entitled to it ... also how do you know someone will not contact them to say you don't need the help ... then fraud comes into it
... in the end your decision ... but ... I know what I would do

I would imagine many people need it 'more' than OP.... in that they have higher needs...doesn't mean that OP isn't entitled to it too

Quite, monica.

I think GSM is confusing 'coping ' with 'coping satisfactorily and safely'

Plenty of people are coping, but neither satisfactorily nor safely The purpose of AA is to help this group make life more satisfactory and safer.

Timely manner

Germanshepherdsmum

I have my difficulties due to arthritis and asthma and get around them. It’s a way of life. Surely if people are coping satisfactorily and safely without outside help they shouldn’t be entitled to benefits?

Not true....attendance allowance is same as pip....if you ate struggling to complete daily activities of living safely, reliably or in a times manner then OP likelybto qualify....I get Personal independence allowance although I still work and was working full time when awarded it

I am glad Exdancer rang, she is clearly uncomfortable what has been written and I think if she had not made the call it would play on her mind and worry her.

I too have helped with filling in this form many times and while the person sometimes doesn't realise that they are as disabled as they are it does explain very clearly on the form what is required for this benefit to be given. I used to say to the person that we would include information as to how they were on their 'bad days'. It specifies 'care needs' which means 'help or supervision'. 'Help means physical help, guidance or encouragement from someone else so you can do the task'. The tasks referred to are relating to personal care eg dressing, feeding, toileting, taking medication etc If the OP feels that is the case then she should get the benefit. I did find it harder to get the full benefit (inc night) for people as most did not require assistance or supervision when the initial application was made but if they deteriorated a further application could be made to take account of the change in condition. Most of my clients had mental health issues although as many were elderly they experienced physical problems too. It is not means tested and once given you can use it for whatever you like but unfortunately needing help with gardening and cleaning alone is not a reason for getting this benefit. I am glad that OP is questioning it as she has signed to say what was written was correct. She may well have issues that would indicate that she has the care needs listed in the documentation but it will give her peace of mind to get it double checked.

It is quite difficult for many people to admit to needing help which is why people who help are trained to discover this and fill the forms properly. My DM and my MiL (died many years ago) needed help with the forms. MiL, who had cancer and was physically unable to get clothes on and off said to the doctor who was examining her for AA "yes I can get dressed and undressed on my own" and she couldn't. Same with other questions. DM similar - registered blind and "yes I can do all that" - sorry no it's me that is doing it.

Germanshepherdsmum

I have my difficulties due to arthritis and asthma and get around them. It’s a way of life. Surely if people are coping satisfactorily and safely without outside help they shouldn’t be entitled to benefits?

There is a financial reason for keeping people independant GSM. If, for instance, the council puts in a wet room it can cost what seems like a great deal. I know when they put one in for my mother I was quite stunned at the cost they were willing to pay*. The person who came to assess it (it was on a recommendation from a needs assessment) said that if it helped my mother stay at home for four years they would consider the cost recovered. My mother was 84 at the time and didn't go into a home until she was 98.

Simply helping people so they don't fall will save a huge amount.

*This was done on a combination of income and disability but the theory of investment to save is the same.